Message from the Executive Director
Sharon G. Portwood, J.D., Ph.D.
Executive Director
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
These days, it seems that every conversation inevitably moves toward the topic of the economy. For those of us who work in the health and human services domain, an overriding concern is the fact that in tough economic times, funding for services decreases, while the need for services increases. In this climate, the need to educate policymakers, funders, and the general public about the value of community programs and services and, more specifically, the need to present data evidencing the positive impact of those programs and services is critical. We at the Institute for Social Capital feel fortunate that the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community have invested in our efforts over the past 5+ years (pre-dating our incorporation in April, 2004), and we are working diligently to ensure that the investment pays off now. The ISC Community Database is poised to serve as a valuable resource to agencies in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community that are seeking to demonstrate their impact on children, youth, and families. As our number of depositor agencies and the volume of data deposited grows, our ability to address more and more complex questions increases exponentially. Beyond the ISC Community Database, the Institute offers a number of resources to the health and human services community, not the least of which is the opportunity to work with the extremely talented group of University researchers and staff affiliated with the Institute. The Institute’s Faculty Research Scientists and Scholars represent a diversity of interests and expertise; however, all of them share a commitment to collaborative research with direct community benefit. As you think about how to best leverage the resources available to you and your organization, please keep the Institute for Social Capital in mind, and let us know how we can assist you in leveraging the valuable social capital that we have built together!